Gaming machine and gaming method thereof

ABSTRACT

A gaming environment, in which an award is provided based on the symbol combination arranged in the symbol display area, is described. Especially a gaming environment, in which the display mode of the symbol display area is changed from a first display mode in which the symbols are displayed to a second display mode in which an award image is displayed, and a special award is provided based on the award image, when a symbol combination displayed on the display area is a predetermined symbol combination, is described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims a priority from the priorJapanese Patent Application No. 2006-273102 filed on Oct. 4, 2006, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a gaming machine and a card gameplaying method in which an award is provided based on the symbolcombination arranged in the symbol display area, especially relates togaming machine and a card game playing method in which the display modeof the symbol display area is changed from a first display mode in whichthe symbols are displayed to a second display mode in which an awardimage is displayed, and a special award is provided based on the awardimage.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, gaming machines in which an award is provided to aplayer based on the symbol combination displayed on the symbol displayarea. Slot machines and card gaming machines (for example, poker gamingmachines) are well-known as such gaming machine.

For example, in the slot machine, plural reels are rotatably arrangedwith plural symbols displayed thereon, and based on the internal lotteryresult, the game result is notified by stopping and displaying symbolsof each reel on a predetermined winning line.

Video slot machines may also be used in additional to above realmechanic slot machines, wherein reels are not actually used, symbolcolumns including plural symbols are variably displayed, based on theinternal lottery result, the game result is notified by stopping anddisplaying symbol columns.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, one or more aspects of the present inventionrelate to a gaming machine, a gaming method thereof, a game system, acomputer readable medium having computer-executable instructions or thelike that the display mode of the symbol display area is changed from afirst display mode in which the symbols are displayed to a seconddisplay mode in which an award image is displayed, and a special awardis provided based on the award image, when a symbol combinationdisplayed on the display area is a predetermined symbol combination, theinterest on winning a special award is strengthened.

One or more of the above aspects of the invention is more fullydescribed in the following detailed description when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood,however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration only and notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantagesand principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a lower display during thevariable display of a bonus character and target symbols of a slotmachine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a lower display before thevariable display of the bonus character and the target symbols of a slotmachine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a lower display after the variabledisplay of the bonus character and the target symbols, and a bonus awardimage of a slot machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the position of each symboldisplay area of a slot machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the symbol columns correspondingto each reel display area of a slot machine according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6 is an award table showing the content of the awards according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a slot machine according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of theslot machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main control process program in the slotmachine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a main game process program in the slotmachine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a bonus award process program in the slotmachine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a bonus award table in the slotmachine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an outline view of a poker gaming machine according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main control process program in the pokergaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a bonus award table in the pokergaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example of a lower displaybefore the variable display of the bonus character of the poker gamingmachine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing another example of a lowerdisplay before the variable display of the bonus character of the pokergaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a lower display during thevariable display of the bonus character of the poker gaming machineaccording to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a lower display after thevariable display of the bonus character, and the bonus award image ofthe poker gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various aspects summarized precedingly may be embodied in variousforms. The following description shows by way of illustration of variouscombinations and configurations in which the aspects may be practiced.It is understood that the described aspects and/or embodiments aremerely examples, and that other aspects and/or embodiments may beutilized and structural and functional modifications may be made,without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between items in thefollowing description. It is noted that these connections in generaland, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that thisspecification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

A gaming machine according to one or more aspects of the invention isdescribed in detail with reference to the drawings based on anembodiment embodying one or more aspects of the invention as a slotmachine, a server, a game system. However, it is appreciated that one ormore aspects of the present invention may be embodied in distributable(via CD and the like) or downloadable software games, console games, andthe like. Aspects of the invention are described by way of hardwareelements. However, it is appreciated that these elements may also besoftware modules that are executable in a computer. The software modulesmay be stored on a computer readable medium, including but not limitedto a USB drive, CD, DVD, computer-readable memory, tape, diskette,floppy disk, and the like. For instance, aspects of the invention may beembodied in a JAVA-based application or the like that runs in aprocessor or processors. Further, the terms “CPU” and “processor” areinclusive by nature, including at least one of hardware, software, orfirmware. These terms may include a portion of a processing unit in acomputer (for instance, in multiple core processing units), multiplecores, a functional processor (as running virtually on at least one ofprocessor or server, which may be local or remote). Further, innetwork-based gaming systems, the processor may include only a localprocessor, only a remote server, or a combination of a local processorand a remote server.

It is contemplated that one or more aspects of the invention may beimplemented as computer executable instructions on a computer readablemedium such as a non-volatile memory, a magnetic or optical disc.Further, one or more aspects of the invention may be implemented with acarrier signal in the form of, for instance, an audio-frequency,radio-frequency, or optical carrier wave.

Hereinafter, concerning with a gaming machine which is used in a videoslot machine according to the present invention, the embodimentembodying the present invention is described in detail with reference tothe drawings.

A video slot machine is a slot machine including image display devicessuch as liquid crystal display, and a game is executed by displayingimages of symbols on the image display devices.

Here, an outline of a game executed in the slot machine 1 according tothe first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.7.

In the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, when a game isexecuted, a symbol display portion 7 including five reel display areas23 to 27 (see FIG. 7) are displayed on a lower display 6. As shown inFIG. 4, the symbol display portion 7 is constructed from fifteen symboldisplay areas 31 to 45, wherein the symbol display areas 31 to 45 arearranged in a matrix constructed from three rows and five columns. Inother words, each of the five reel display areas 23 to 27 includes threesymbol display areas arranged in a lengthwise direction. For example,the reel display area 23 includes a symbol display area 31, a symboldisplay area 32, and a symbol display area 33, which are arranged in alengthwise direction.

A game is started based on the gaming start operation by a player (forexample, operation of the start button 18). In the symbol displayportion 7, based on the symbol columns consisting of the symbols 90 (seeFIG. 5), variable display of symbol columns is executed in a unit ofreel display area. After a predetermined time has passed since thevariable display of symbols 90, the determined symbols determined by asymbol determination process (S13) will be stopped and displayed on eachsymbol display area 31 to 45.

As shown in FIG. 5, five columns of symbols may be variably displayed oneach of the reel display areas 23 to 27. There is a total of elevenkinds of symbols 90 which may be displayed on each columns of symbols.They are “Wild” 90A, “Red seven” 90B, “Blue seven” 90C, “Bar” 90D,“Eight” 90E, “Bell” 90F, “Watermelon” 90G, “Plum” 90H, “Orange” 90I,“Cherry” 90J, “Blank” 90K.

In the symbol determination process (S13), the symbols which are stoppedand displayed in the middle of each reel display areas 23 to 27 aredetermined first. Then the symbols 90 which are arranged above or belowthe middle symbols 90, are determined as the symbols which may bedisplayed on the upper or the lower display area of the current displayarea. It is determined that the symbols each of which is stopped anddisplayed in the fifteen symbol display areas 31 to 45 of the symboldisplay portion 7, in the symbol determination process (S13). In otherwords, a group of symbol combination consisting of a game result may bedetermined in the symbol determination process (S13).

After symbol combinations are determined in the symbol determinationprocess (S13), in a symbol display process (S14), the determined symbols90 may be stopped and displayed in each of the symbol display areas 31to 45 respectively.

After a group of symbol combination is stopped and displayed in thesymbol display portion 7, in the slot machine 1, an award may bedetermined to the symbol combination, by an award determination process(S15).

In the award determination process (S15) of the slot machine 1 accordingto the first embodiment, it is determined whether a predeterminedwinning combination (see FIG. 6) is satisfied. A predetermined winningcombination is determined by the numbers of the same symbols 90 each ofwhich is stopped and displayed in the symbol display portion 7.Regarding the last column “Any seven” shown in FIG. 6, the “Red seven”90B and the “Blue seven” 90C are treated as the same symbols 90 of “Anyseven”.

Here, the award determination process (S15) will be explained withconcrete examples. For example, for the case as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.3, in the symbol combination each of which is stopped and displayed insymbol display areas 31 to 45, one “Wild” 90A, three “Red seven” 90B,and one “Blue seven” are included. The symbol of the “Wild” 90A is asymbol may be regarded as any of the other ten symbols 90. Therefore, inthe symbol combination of above examples, there is a total of five “Anyseven” symbols (The “Wild” 90A may be regarded as “Any seven”.). It canbe determined that “Any 5” of the “Any seven” is a winning combination(see FIG. 6).

Furthermore, in the symbol combination, one “Wild” 90A and three “Eight”90E are included. In other words, it can be considered that four of the“Eight” 90E are included in the symbol combination. Therefore, thesymbol combination of “ANY 4” of the “EIGHT” may be also determined as awinning combination.

Here, in slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, if the symbolcombination determined in the symbol determination process (S13)satisfies a predetermined bonus award condition, a bonus award will bepaid out to a player. The bonus award is an award different from theaward based on the award determination process (S15) (abbreviated as“normal award” hereinafter).

In the slot machine 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a number of 31 to 45 isassociated with each of the fifteen symbol display areas 31 to 45respectively. The bonus award condition is that more than three samesymbols 90 are stopped and displayed adjacently on the symbol displayareas each of which constructs either of the upper row, the middle rowor the lower row, in a crosswise direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if three “Eight” 90E are stopped anddisplayed on the symbol display area 32, 35 and 38, which is arranged onthe middle row of the symbol display portion 7, the bonus awardcondition is satisfied.

In the example of FIG. 2, three “Eight” 90E are stopped and displayedadjacently on the middle row. However, the award condition may also besatisfied if other symbols (for example, “Cherry” 90J are arrangedadjacently instead of three “Eight” 90E.

In FIG. 2, three same symbols 90 are arranged adjacently on the middlerow of the symbol display portion 7 from the most left side, these samesymbols may also be arranged in the middle of the middle row (in thesymbol display areas of 35, 38 and 41, as shown in FIG. 4), and may alsobe arranged on the most right side of the middle row (in the symboldisplay areas of 38, 41 and 44, as shown in FIG. 4). In either casementioned above, the bonus award condition is also satisfied.

Furthermore, in FIG. 2, three same symbols 90 are arranged adjacently onthe middle row of the symbol display portion 7. However, if more thanthree same symbols 90 are arranged adjacently on the upper row (thesymbol display areas of 31, 34, 37, 40 and 43, as shown in FIG. 4), oron the lower row (the symbol display areas of 33, 36, 39, 42 and 45, asshown in FIG. 4), the bonus award condition is also satisfied.

When the symbol combination which satisfies the bonus award condition isdisplayed on the symbol display portion 7, on the lower display 6, amodel of train is displayed as a bonus character 95 (S22).

The bonus character 95 is displayed on the row which satisfies the bonusaward condition, so that the bonus character may cross the row from theleft side to the right side (abbreviated as “variable display of thebonus character 95). And if the bonus character 95 passes the symboldisplayed on the most right side after crossing the three same symbols90 (abbreviated as “target symbols”), symbol images corresponding to thetarget symbols may follow the variable display of the bonus character95. Images corresponding to the target symbols may also cross the lowerdisplay 6 from the left side to the right side (abbreviated as “variabledisplay of the target symbols) (S23).

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the bonus character 95 isvariably displayed cross the middle row of the symbol display portion 7.The three “Eight” 90 E displayed in the symbol display area 32, 35 and38 consist the target symbols in the example shown in FIG. 2. After thebonus character 9 passes the symbol display area 38, the image of thetarget symbols is variably displayed cross the lower display 6 from theleft side to the right side, corresponding to the variable display ofthe bonus character 95.

As shown in FIG. 1, when images of the target symbols are variablydisplayed corresponding to the variable display of the bonus character95, a bonus award image 97 may be displayed in the symbol display areain which the target symbols were once displayed. The bonus award image97 is an image to show the bonus award which is provided to a player.The bonus award is a kind of award which is determined in theafter-mentioned bonus determination process (S21), and is different fromthe normal award which is determined in the award determination process(S15).

And when the bonus character 95 and the images corresponding to thetarget symbols, are variably displayed from the left side to the rightside gradually, the bonus award image 97 may be displayed slowly on thesymbol display area, in which the target symbols were once displayed (inthe case of FIG. 1, the symbol display area 32 and 35) (see FIG. 1).

After the bonus character 95 and the images of the target symbolscrosses the lower display 6 from the left side to the right side, asshown in FIG. 3, a bonus award image 97 indicating a bonus award of“250” is displayed on the symbol display areas (in this example, thesymbol display areas of 32, 35 and 38), on which the target symbols (thethree “Eight” 90 E) were once displayed.

And in the slot machine 1, a payout process (S19) is executed when thebonus award image 97 is displayed completely, corresponding to thevariable display of the bonus character 95. In S19, the bonus awardcorresponding to the bonus award image 97 may be paid out, together withthe award based on result of the award determination process (S15).

In the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the normal award for thewinning combination of “Any 5” of the “Any seven” is “20”, and thenormal award for the winning combination of “Any 4” of the “Eight” is“2”. Furthermore, in this example, since a bonus award condition issatisfied, an award of “250” may be also provided to the player. Inother words, in the example as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a total of“272” credits may be provided to the player according to the gameresult.

In the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, a bonus awardin additional to the normal award may be paid out to a player when apredetermined bonus award condition is satisfied. Therefore, in the slotmachine 1, interest of receiving a bonus award may be provided to theplayers who want to receive higher award.

The bonus award image 97 indicating the content of the bonus ward isdisplayed gradually corresponding to the variable display of the bonuscharacter 95 and the images of the target symbols, when a predeterminedbonus award condition is satisfied. Since a player may understand thecontent of the bonus award by the bonus award image 97 gradually, theexpectation to the content of the bonus award may be strengthened.Therefore, the interest of receiving a bonus award may be strengthenedfurther.

In the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, after therotation of the symbols 90 in the lengthwise direction, the bonuscharacter 95 and the target symbols are also variably displayed on thecrosswise direction. In other words, even after the symbols 90 arestopped and displayed, the display mode of the lower display 6 is stillchanging. Therefore, the display mode of the lower display 6 may bediversified. Player's interest on the diversification of the image maybe further strengthened.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the slot machine 1, when three of the “Cherry”90J are displayed on the symbol display portion 7, the normal award maynot be provided since the symbol combination of three “Cherry” 90J isnot considered as winning combination. However, if three of the “Cherry”90J are arranged on a same row of the symbol display portion 7, thebonus award condition is satisfied, therefore the bonus award may beprovided.

In the slot machine 1, the bonus award is provided independently nomatter there is a normal award or not. Players may still haveexpectation on the bonus award even after the game result concerning thenormal award is notified.

Next, an outline construction of a slot machine of the first embodimentwill be described with reference to drawings. FIG. 7 is a perspectiveview showing the slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

The slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment may include acabinet 2, a top box 3, and a main door 4. The top box 3 may be arrangedon the cabinet 2 (for instance, arranged on upper side). The main door 4may be arranged in front of the cabinet 2.

An upper display 5 is arranged with the slot machine 1 (for example,arranged in front of the top box 3). The upper display 5 may beconstructed from well-known liquid crystal display. Here, the upperdisplay 5 may use CRTs, plasma displays, LED displays, OLED displays,and other known display technologies. Gaming information such as thegaming methods and an award table may be displayed on the upper display5.

A lower display 6 may be arranged on the main door 4. The lower display6 may be constructed, for instance, from well-known liquid crystaldisplay. Here, the lower image display 6 may use CRTs, plasma displays,LED displays, OLED displays, and other known display technologies. Asymbol display portion 7 may be displayed on the lower display 6. Thesymbol display portion 7 is constructed from fifteen symbol displayareas 31 to 45. The symbol display areas 31 to 45, on each of which asymbol 90 is stopped and displayed, are arranged in a matrix constructedfrom 3 rows and 5 columns (see FIG. 4).

And the symbol display portion 7 also includes five reel display areas23 to 27, which are arranged in a crosswise direction (see FIG. 7). Eachreel display area is composed of three symbol display area in alengthwise direction.

A touch panel 11 may be arranged on the front plane of the lower display6, and the player can input various instructions by operating the touchpanel 11.

A credit count display portion 8 and a payout number display portion 9may be arranged on the lower display 6. The credit count which iscurrently owned by a player, may be displayed on the credit countdisplay portion 8. In the award number display portion 9, the payoutnumber is displayed. The payout number, indicates the payout numberwhich will be provided, when a symbol combination of the symbols stoppedand displayed on the symbol display portion 7, is a predeterminedcombination.

A control panel 15 may be arranged at the lower display 6 (for example,arranged on the lower side). Buttons may be arranged at the controlpanel 15. The buttons may be the buttons to input the instructions forgaming session by the player. A coin insertion slot 16 and a billinsertion portion 17 can be arranged in relation to the lower display 6(for example, arranged on lower side). The coin insertion slot 16 mayreceive the gaming medium into the cabinet 2.

A start button 18, a change button 19, a cash out button 20, a 1-betbutton 21, and a max-bet button 22 may be arranged on the control panel15. The start button 18 can be used when the instruction for the startof the game is input. The change button 19 is used when the exchange isrequired by a player. The cash out button 20 is used to input theinstruction for the payment of the coin (for example, one credit isequal to one coin) or for the print a ticket, on which one or more barcodes may be printed. The ticket may be called GAMING VOUCHER. The coinmay be paid through a coin payout opening 28 to a coin tray 29. Here,other than bar code may be used as substitute for the bar code (forexample, QR Code (two-dimensional bar code)).

The 1-bet button 21 is used when the instruction for the bet is onecredit from the player's credits. The max-bet button 22 is used when theinstruction for a bet of a maximum bet count in a game (in the firstembodiment, forty credits) is input by the player. Here, 3-bet button orthe like may or may not be arranged.

In the slot machine 1 of the first embodiment, the gaming medium may becoins, bills, or electronic value (credits). Here, the gaming medium maybe other things as well (including but not limited to medal, token,electronic money, or ticket).

A control system of the slot machine 1 according to the firstembodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is ablock diagram schematically showing the control system of the slotmachine 1.

The control system of the slot machine 1 may be constructed from amother board 60 and a gaming board 50 as shown in FIG. 7. And a gamecontroller 75, in which the control of the game in the slot machine 1 isexecuted, is composed of the mother 60 and the gaming board 50.

The gaming board 50 may be constructed from a CPU 51, a ROM 55, a bootROM 52, a card slot 53S, and an IC socket 54S. The CPU 51, the ROM 55,and the boot ROM 52 are interconnected via internal bus. A card slot 53Sis adapted to receive the memory card 53. An IC socket 54S is adapted toreceive a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54. Here, PLD (Programmable LogicDevice) which is other than the GAL 54 may be substituted for the GAL54.

The memory card 53 may be constructed from non-volatile memory. A gameprogram and a game system program (hereinafter, “the game program andthe like”) is stored therein. The game program stored in the memory card53 may include a lottery program. The lottery program is used todetermine the symbols 90, symbol combinations and the content of a bonusaward. The determined symbols 90 are the symbols to be stopped anddisplayed on each of the symbols display areas 31 to 45.

And the symbol lottery table is stored in the memory card 53. The symbollottery table is used to conduct the lottery of the symbols 90 to bedisplayed in the symbols display areas 31 to 45. Here, the symbollottery table is a table used to indicate the relation between each ofthe symbols and one or more random number in predetermined range.

The symbol lottery table may also be used to associate the predeterminedrange with awards provided to players. In this case, an award providedto a player may be first determined in the lottery process based on thesymbol lottery table, and then the combination of the determined symbols90 which satisfy the predetermined award condition may be selected outby the main CPU 61.

Next, the mother board 60 will be described. The mother board 60 may beconstructed from general mother board (printed circuit board whichmounts basic components of a personal computer), and may include a mainCPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, and a communication interface 64.

The ROM 62 may be constructed from a memory device such as the flashmemory (for example). The preliminary data such as BIOS program may bestored in the ROM 62. BIOS program can be executed by the main CPU 61.

If the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 61, the initial process forpredetermined peripheral devices is executed. And the read process forthe game program and the like stored in the memory card 53 will bestarted via the gaming board 50.

The data and the programs, which are used when the main CPU 61 runs, maybe stored in the RAM 63. The verification program (which will be readvia the gaming board 50), various programs (such as the game program andthe like), the number of the player's credits, and the number ofexecuted games may be stored in the RAM 63.

The communication interface 64 may be a communication devicecommunicating to the servers located in the game hall via acommunication line or other communication pathways.

A main PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 70 and a door PCB 80 (which will bedescribed later) are connected to the mother board 60 respectively viaUSB (for example). A power source unit 65 is connected to the motherboard 60. If the power source unit 65 supplies the electric power to themother board 60, the main CPU 61 on the mother board 60 will be bootedup. When the electric power is supplied to the gaming board 50 via thePCI bus, the CPU 51 will be booted up.

A hopper 66, a coin detection portion 67, a graphic board 68, a speaker69, the touch panel 11, the bill insertion portion 17, and the like maybe connected directly or indirectly to the main PCB 70.

The graphic board 68 controls the image display on the upper display 5and the lower display 6 based on the control signals from the main CPU61. For example, entire control of displays is executed by the graphicboard 68, based on the signals from the main CPU 61, wherein thedisplays include the variable display or the stopped display of symbols90 on the symbol display portion 7, and the display of the bonus awardimage 97.

The graphic board 68 is composed of 2 layers of frame memories. On oneof the two layers of the frame memory (abbreviated as “the first layer”hereinafter), image data corresponding to the fifteen symbols 90, andthe image data of the bonus character 95 are stored. The fifteen symbols90 are the symbols displayed in the symbol display areas 31 to 45, onthe symbol display portion 7. And the bonus character 95 is a charactervariably displayed in the bonus award process (S17). On the other layerof the frame memory (abbreviated as “the second layer” hereinafter),image data of bonus award image 97 is stored. In the bonus award process(S17), the bonus award image 97 is displayed in the symbol display area,in which the target symbols are once displayed.

In the graphic board 68, the first layer and the second layer of theframe memory are combined, and are written in the VRAM. When the imagedata stored in the first layer and the second layer of the frame memoryare combined, combination of the image data for the first layer may bepreceded. Based on the combined image data written in the VRAM, thelower display 6 is displayed during the gaming session.

In other words, based on the image data combined by the image datastored in the first layer and the second layer, the display mode of thelower display 6 may be controlled. In the slot machine 1, if the bonuscharacter 95 and images of the target symbols (abbreviated as “the bonuscharacter 95 and the like”) are variably displayed, and the bonus awardimage 97 may be displayed corresponding to the variable display of thebonus character 95 and the like.

A control panel 15, a coin verifier 16S, a coin counter 16C, and a coldcathode fluorescent lamp 81 are directly or indirectly connected to thedoor PCB 80.

A start switch 18S, a change switch 19S, a cash-out switch 20S, a 1-betswitch 21S, and a max-bet switch 22S are arranged on the control panel15. The start switch 18S is associated with the start button 18. Thechange switch 19S is associated with the change button 19. The cash-outswitch 20S is associated with the cash-out button 20. The 1-bet switch21S is associated with the 1-bet button 21. The max-bet switch 22S isassociated with the max-bet button 22. Each of the switches may outputthe input signal to the main CPU 61 when the button correspondingthereof is operated by the player. Here, a 3-bet switch and a 5-betswitch may be arranged.

A main control program, which is executed in the slot machine 1 of thefirst embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the main control program.

Concerning the slot machine 1, the memory card 53 is connected to thecard slot 53S of the gaming board 50, and the GAL 54 is connected to theIC socket 54S beforehand.

When the power switch of the power source unit 65 is ON, the motherboard 60 and the gaming board 50 are booted-up respectively, and theverification read process (S1) is executed. In the verification readprocess, the mother board 60 and the gaming board 50 execute separateprocesses in parallel.

In the gaming board 50, the CPU 51 reads the preliminary verificationprogram from the boot ROM 52, and verifies that the verification programis not falsified before the verification program is taken to the motherboard 60.

In the mother board 60, the main CPU 61 executes BIOS stored in the ROM62, and checks and initializes various peripheral devices. Here, BIOSmay be compressed, then, BIOS is decompressed. BIOS may be copied to theRAM 63.

The main CPU 61 reads the verification program stored in the ROM 55, andverifies that game program and the like is not falsified. Here, the gameprogram and the like is stored in the memory card 53 which is insertedto the card slot 53S. After the verification process is ended, the mainCPU 61 writes the verified game program and the like to the RAM 63.Also, the main CPU 61 acquires award ratio setting data from the GAL 54via the gaming board 50, and write the award ratio setting data to theRAM 63. After the process mentioned above is finished, the main CPU 61finishes the verification read process.

In S2, the main CPU 61 reads the game program and the like verified inS1 from the RAM 63, and executes the main game process. The game of theslot machine 1 in the first embodiment is executed by executing the maingame process. The main game process is executed repeatedly while theelectronic power source is supplied.

The main game process in S2 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the main game process of the slot machine 1 inthe first embodiment. Here, each of the programs shown in the flowchartsin FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 is stored in the memory card 53. The programs aredecompressed to the RAM 63 of the slot machine 1, and the decompressedprograms are executed by the main CPU 61.

In S11, the main CPU 61 performs predetermined initial setting, and thenexecutes the start acceptance process as shown in FIG. 10. In theinitial setting process, some data set in predetermined data areas (forexample, award counter) is cleared.

In the start acceptance process, the coin is inserted by the player, ora bet operation with the use of the 1-bet button 21 or max-bet button 22is operated by the player during the start acceptance process. Here,3-bet button and/or 5-bet button may or may not be operated.

In S12, the main CPU 61 determines whether or not the start button 18 isoperated. It is determined whether or not the start button 18 isoperated based on that whether or not the input signal is received fromthe start switch 18S.

If the start button 18 is not operated (S12:NO), the procedure will bereturned to the start acceptance process (S11) again. In that time, someinstructions such as changing the bet count are available. On the otherhand, if the start button 18 is operated (S12:YES), the bet count, whichis set based on the operation of the 1-bet button 21 and the max-betbutton 22, will be subtracted from the credit count which the playerowns. And, the bet count will be stored in RAM 63 as the betinformation.

In S13, the symbol determination process is executed by the main CPU 61.In the symbol determination process, the symbols 90, which will bedisplayed on each of the symbol display areas 31 to 45 of the symboldisplay portion 7, will be determined on a lottery by the main CPU 61.

Concretely, random number values are sampled by executing the randomnumber values generation program by the main CPU 61, wherein the randomnumber values generation program is included in the lottery programsstored in RAM 63. The symbols 90, which are stopped and displayed oneach symbol display area 31 to 45, are determined to by the main CPU 61respectively, referring to the sampled random number values, the symbollottery table, and code numbers defined to each reels.

One symbol combination as one of the game result is determined by thedetermination of symbols 90, which are stopped and displayed on eachsymbol display area 31 to 45. After the determination of the fifteensymbols 90, the result is stored in the RAM 63, and procedure shifts toS14.

In S14, symbol display process is executed by the main CPU 61. In S14,symbols 90 are displayed on each symbol display area 31 to 45, by themain CPU 61, wherein the symbols 90 are determined in the symboldetermination process (S13). The signals for variable display aretransmitted to the graphic board 68. Variable display of the symbolsaccording to the reel columns (see FIG. 6), are displayed in each reeldisplay area 23 to 27, located on the symbol display portion 7 displayedon lower display 6.

If a predetermined time has passed since the start of the variabledisplay of symbols 90 on the symbol display portion 7, the stop displaysignals are transmitted to the graphic board 68, by the main CPU 61. Thedetermined symbols 90 (determined in the symbol determination processS13) are stopped and displayed in each symbol display area 31 to 45, onthe lower display 6.

When the symbols 90 determined in the symbol determination process S13,are stopped and displayed on the symbol display portion 7, procedureshifts to S15.

Award determination process is executed in S15. The award determinationprocess (S15) is a process to determine whether a predetermined winningcombination (see FIG. 6) is satisfied, wherein the predetermined winningcombination is determined in the symbol determination process S13.

The winning combination in slot machine 1 is determined by the numbersof the same symbols 90 with a symbol combination. An award is determinedto each symbol combination by the main CPU 61, with reference to theresult of the symbol determination process S13, and an award table (seeFIG. 6)

After the normal award based on the result of the award determinationprocess is stored in the RAM 63 as award data, procedure shifts to S16.

For example, in the case of the concrete example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.3, the winning combination of “ANY 5” of the “ANY seven”, and also thewinning combination of “ANY 4” of the “EIGHT”, are both satisfied, thenormal award based on these two combinations (“20” and “2”) are storedin the RAM 63 as the award data.

In S16, it is determined whether a bonus award condition is satisfied.The bonus award condition in slot machine 1 is a winning combination,wherein more than three of the same symbols 90 are arranged on the samerow of the symbol display areas (upper row, middle row or the lower row,see FIG. 4), within the fifteen symbol display areas 31 to 45.

In S16, data corresponding to the symbol combination determined in thesymbol determination process S13 from the RAM 63 is read out. Based onthe read-out data, it is determined whether the bonus award condition issatisfied or not. If the bonus award condition is satisfied (S16: YES),procedure shifts to the bonus award process (S17). If the bonus awardcondition is not satisfied (S16: NO), procedure shifts to S18.

In the bonus award process (S17), the content of the bonus award isdetermined by lottery. The display mode of the lower display 6 ischanged based on the control signals transmitted to the graphic board 68from the main CPU 61. In the bonus award process (S17), on the lowerdisplay 6, the bonus award images 97 is displayed corresponding to thevariably display of the bonus characters 95 and the image of the targetsymbols. In the bonus award process (S17), the award amount as thecontent of the determined bonus award is stored in the RAM 63 as awarddata by the main CPU 61.

Also, the bonus award process (S17) will be described with reference tothe figures later.

After the display control of the lower display 6 and the award datacorresponding to the bonus award are stored in the RAM 63 as award data,procedure shifts to S18.

In S18, it is determined whether there is an award which should be paidout to the player. In S18, it is determined whether there is award bythe main CPU 61, with reference to the normal award data and the bonusaward data stored in the RAM 63. If there is an award which should bepaid out to the player (S18: YES), procedure shifts to S19. If there isno award which should be paid out to the player (S18: NO), the main gameprocess program will be terminated by the main CPU 61. If the main gameprocess program is terminated, procedure returns to the main controlprogram, and main game process S2 will be executed again.

In S19, the payout process is executed based on the award data stored inthe RAM 63 by the main CPU 61. If the cash out button 20 is pressed by aplayer, it is also possible to payout the coins corresponding to thecredits (one credit equals to one coin). And it may also be paid out bya ticket with a bar-code.

If the payout process (S19) is finished, the main game process (S2) isterminated. And procedure returns to the main control program, and maingame process S2 will be executed again. In other words, if a game iscontinued further, then the process will start from S11.

Next, the bonus award process program executed in the bonus awardprocess (S17) will be described with reference of figures. FIG. 11 is aflowchart of the bonus award process program.

If the symbol combination satisfies to the bonus award condition (S16:YES), the bonus award process program will be executed in the bonusaward process (S17) by the main CPU 61.

In the bonus award process (S17), the bonus award determination process(S21) is executed first. The bonus award determination process (S21) isa process to determine the content of the bonus award provided in thegame.

Concretely, one of the random number value is sampled out from thepredetermined range of random number values by executing a lotteryprogram, by the main CPU 61. The content of the bonus award provided inthe game may be determined based on the random number value and thebonus award table (see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 12, in the bonus table, a predetermined range of randomnumber values is associated with each the four kinds of the bonus award.The content of the bonus award provided in the game, is determined basedon the predetermined range of random number values which the sampledrandom number value belongs to. For example, if the sampled randomnumber value belongs to the predetermined range of “8 to 23”, same asthe concrete example as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the content of thebonus award in the game is “250”.

After the determined content of the bonus award is stored in the RAM 63,procedure shifts to S22.

In S22, the character display signal is transmitted to the graphic board68 by the main CPU 61, to display the bonus character 95 on the lowerdisplay 6. On the lower display 6, the bonus character 95 is displayedon the most left side of the row consisting of the symbol display areas.

After the character display signal is transmitted to the graphic board68 by the main CPU 61, procedure shifts to S23.

In S23, the bonus award content display process is executed. The bonusaward content display process (S23) is a process executed by the mainCPU 61, based on the variable display signals transmitted to the graphicboard 68. In S23, on the lower display 6, the bonus character 95 and theimage corresponding to the target symbols are variably displayed, andalso the bonus award image 97 is displayed in the symbol display area onwhich the target symbols are once displayed.

After the variable display signals are transmitted by the main CPU 61,the display mode of the lower display 6 is controlled in a predeterminedtime period (abbreviated as “unit term” hereinafter).

In the bonus award content display process (S23), the image data to bedisplayed on the lower display 6 will be generated in each unit term.The image data are displayed sequentially. The image data include thevariable display of the bonus character 95 and the images of the targetsymbols, the display of the bonus award image 97 in the symbol displayarea, on which the target symbols are once stopped and displayed.

After an unit term has passed since the transmission of the variabledisplay signals, procedure shifts to S24.

Here, the bonus award content display process (S23) will be explained indetail. As mentioned before, the graphic board 68 includes 2 layers offrame memories. On the first layer of the frame memory, the image datathe symbols 90 corresponding to the symbol combination displayed on thesymbol display portion 7, and the image data of the bonus character 95are stored. On the second layer of the frame memory, image data of bonusaward image 97 is stored. The bonus award image 97 is the image datacorresponding to the bonus award content determined in the bonus awarddetermination process (S21).

The combined image data is displayed on the lower display 6, wherein thecombined image data is combined by the image data stored in the firstlayer and the second layer. In the image data combination, the imagedata stored in the first layer is generated preferentially than the datastored in the second layer.

The image data including the image of the bonus character 95 and theimages of the target symbols, are renewed in accordance with the changeof the display position of the bonus character 95 and the target symbolsin each unit term. Hereby, the bonus character 95 and the target symbolsare variably displayed on the lower display 6.

On the second layer of the frame memory, image data of bonus award image97 is stored, on the symbol display area in which the target symbols areonce stopped and displayed. Because the image data stored in the firstlayer is generated preferentially than the data stored in the secondlayer, the display of the symbol display area, in which the targetsymbols are once stopped and displayed, is changed gradually to thedisplay of the bonus award image 97.

After the variable display of the bonus character 95 and the like in thebonus award content display process (S23), it is determined whether thevariable display of the images is completed by the main CPU 61.Concretely, it is determined based on whether a variable display termhas passed (S24). Here, a variable display term is a time period untilthe image of the target symbols can not be seen on the lower display 6,by repeating the variable display in the unit term.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the images of the target symbols can not beseen on the lower display 6, the variable display of the image iscompleted (S24: YES). Then procedure shifts to S25. If the images of thetarget symbols still exist on the lower display 6, the variable displayof the image is not completed (S24: NO), then the procedure may returnto S23. Thereby, the variable display of the bonus character 95 and thelike in the next unit term may be displayed on the lower display 6.

When the variable display of the bonus character 95 is completed, thebonus award content determined in the bonus award determination process(S21) may be stored in the RAM 63 as award data. And then the bonusaward process is terminated by the main CPU 61, procedure shifts to S18of the main game process program.

As explained above, in the slot machine according to the firstembodiment, when the symbol combination, determined in symboldetermination process (S13), is a predetermined winning combination (seeFIG. 6), the award based on the winning combination may be provided tothe player (S19). If the symbol combination satisfies the bonus awardcondition, the bonus award additional to the normal award may beprovided to the player. Therefore, in the slot machine 1, interest onwinning of the bonus award besides the interest on winning of the normalaward may be provided to the player.

Here, the bonus award condition is that more than three same symbols 90are arranged on the same row of the symbol display portion 7, in thesymbol combination determined in the symbol determination process (S13).Since the player may easily understand whether the bonus award conditionis satisfied from the display of the symbol display portion 7, theinterest in winning the bonus award may be further cultivated.

The bonus award content may be determined from plural kinds of the bonusaward in the bonus award determination process (S21). Therefore, in theslot machine 1, interest on winning of the bonus award may bestrengthened by diversifying the bonus award content when a bonus awardcondition is satisfied.

If the bonus award condition is satisfied, in the bonus award process(S17), the images of the target symbols and the bonus character 95 arevariably displayed, wherein the target symbols include more than threesame symbols 90, which are arranged on the same row of the symboldisplay portion 7. The bonus award image 97 is displayed graduallycorresponding to the variable display of the bonus character 95 and thelike, in the symbol display area in which the target symbols are stoppedand displayed.

In the slot machine 1, in the bonus award process (S17), the bonus awardcontent is noticed by displaying the bonus award image 97 gradually,corresponding to the variable display of the bonus character 95 and theimages of the target symbols. Therefore, the winning of the bonus awardmay be figured out exactly by the player. In the slot machine 1according to the first embodiment, because the bonus award content isinformed step by step, the expectation to the bonus award may be furtherstrengthened.

If the bonus award condition is satisfied, the symbols 90 are stoppedand displayed based on the symbol combination determined in the symboldetermination process (S13). And then, the variable display of the bonuscharacter 95 and the images of the target symbols are variablydisplayed. In other words, the display mode of the lower display 6 maybe changed even after the symbol combination is stopped and displayed.Therefore, in the slot machine 1, the interest on virtual change of thedisplay by the player may be heightened.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Next, concerning with a card gaming machine according to the presentinvention, the second embodiment embodying the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. The card gamingmachine according to the second embodiment is a Poker gaming machine100, which is one kind of the card gaming machine.

In the Poker gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment, samecabinet is used as that of the slot machine 1 according to the firstembodiment. However, comparing to the first embodiment, different memorycard 53 is inserted into the card slot 53S, and different GAL 54 isinstalled in IC socket 54S. Therefore, the basic structure and thecontrol system of the Poker gaming machine 100 are the same as those ofthe slot machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the detailedexplanation will be omitted.

Here, the content of the Poker game executed in the Poker gaming machine100 according to the second embodiment, will be explained simply. In thePoker gaming machine 100, a video poker game is executed by using a setof trump cards. And in the Poker gaming machine 100, a Draw Poker gameis executed, wherein when a player plays a game, he may receive newcards by exchanging all or some of the cards he already had on his hand.

Concretely, in the Poker gaming machine 100, if coins are inserted tostart a game, five trump cards are dealt and displayed. In order toachieve a poker hand (such as Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four Card,Full House, Flush, Straight, Three Card, Two Card), a player may holdsome of the trump cards which are thought to be necessary in his hand,and exchange the cards that are thought to be non-necessary with newcards. Thereby, if any of the hands mentioned above is completed, coinscorresponding to the hand may be paid out to the player, as an award.

Next, an outline construction of the Poker gaming machine 100 accordingto the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13.FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the Poker gaming machine 100according to the second embodiment.

As mentioned above, the basic structure of the Poker gaming machine 100according to the second embodiment, is same as that of the slot machine1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, for the Poker gamingmachine 100, only the difference with the slot machine 1 will beexplained.

As shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 16 to FIG. 19, on the lower display 6 of thePoker gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment, a creditdisplay portion 8, a card display area 105, a betted count display area109, and a card exchange operation area 110 are displayed.

Also a touch panel 11 is arranged on the lower display 6, as same as inthe first embodiment.

A card display area 105 is a display area on which images of the trumpcards are displayed, wherein the trump cards are dealt by a dealercharacter 115 displayed on the lower display 6. A card display area 105includes five different card display areas, which are the first carddisplay area 105A to the fifth card display area 10E. On each of thefive different card display areas, an image of a trump card is displayedrespectively.

Here, the image of the trump card which is displayed on the first carddisplay area 105A is defined as “the first card image 107A”. Also theimage of the trump cards which are displayed on the second card displayarea 105B to the fifth card display area 10E, are defined as “the secondcard image 107B” to “the fifth card image 107E”.

The first card image 107A to the fifth card image 107E are displayed onthe card display areas 105, based on the deal of the dealer character115 (see FIG. 16). The touch panel 11 for each of the card display areas105, is a panel for executing the “hold” operation.

Five trump cards dealt by the dealer are displayed with the first cardimage 107A to the fifth card image 107E on each area of the first carddisplay area 105A to the fifth card display area 105E. A player maypress the touch panel 11 corresponding to the card display areas 105 oneach of which the trump card that is thought to be necessary isdisplayed, and these cards are kept in hand by the player.

Also, as shown in FIG. 13 or FIG. 16, on the right lower portion of thecard display area 105, the card exchange operation area 110 is formed.The touch panel 11 corresponding to the card exchange operation area110, is a panel to be pressed when a player wants to exchange the trumpscards which are not needed with new cards.

On the credit display portion 8, the credits stored in the RAM 63 isdisplayed. When credits are provided corresponding to the insertion ofcoins by a player or as an award, or when a bet is made to the DrawPoker game, the credits stored in the RAM 63 fluctuates. Based on thefluctuation of the credits, the credits displayed on the credit displayportion 8 varies.

And the betted count display 109 is a display area in which the countbetted for the Draw Poker game is displayed. The display in the bettedcount display 109, is changed to the betted count of the current game atthe time, when the operation of the 1-bet button 21 and the max-betbutton 22 are executed.

In the Poker gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment, maincontrol program is executed as same as in the first embodiment (see FIG.9). The content of the verification read process (S1) is the same asthat of the first embodiment, here, it will be omitted.

After the verification read process (S1), from the memory card installedin the Poker gaming machine 100, the main game process program is readout and the main game process (S2) is executed.

Since the memory card 53 installed in the Poker gaming machine 100 isdifferent from that of the first embodiment, the main game processprogram is different. The main game process program will be describedwith reference to figures. FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the main gameprocess program according to the second embodiment.

In the Poker gaming machine 100 according to the second embodiment, whenthe main game process program is executed, a bet process is executedfirst (S51). A bet process (S51) is a process to determine the bet countexecuted in the current game, by the operation of the 1-bet button 21and the max-bet button 22 by a player.

In the bet process (S51), the betted count based on the operation of the1-bet button 21 and the max-bet button 22, may be added to the bettedcount in the betted count memory area formed in the RAM 63. The creditscorresponding to the betted count, may be subtracted from the creditsstored in the RAM 63. In the bet process (S51), the process may becontinued until the start button 18 is pressed.

Based on the operation of the start button 18, the betted count in thisgame may be determined. After the bet process is terminated by the mainCPU 61, procedure shifts to S52.

In S52, the deal process is executed by the main CPU 61. In S52, basedon the internal lottery result the lottery program, five dealt trumpcards and five trump cards which may be used in exchange (abbreviated as“five trump cards might be drawn (exchanged)” hereinafter) aredetermined. The five dealt trump cards which are determined aredisplayed in the card display area 105.

Concretely, a random number value is sampled from the predeterminedrange by conducting the lottery program. Based on the random numbervalue sampled, the five dealt trump cards and the five trump cards mightbe drawn (exchanged), are determined by the main CPU 61.

A deal display signal, which is to display the five dealt trump cards onthe card display area 105, is transmitted to the graphic board 68 by themain CPU 61. On the lower display 6, the dealer's character 115 which isdealing cards is displayed. And also on the card display area 105, thefirst card display area 105A to the fifth card display area 105E, aredisplayed on a line with a predetermined space between each other.

Then on the lower display 6, the five dealt trump cards dealt by thedealer's character 115 are displayed. On each of the card display areas105, an image of the dealt trump cards is displayed. At this time, thefive dealt trump cards are displayed face down on the card display area105. After a predetermined time period, the five dealt trump cards maybe changed face up, starting from the card on the most left sidesequentially (see FIG. 16).

After the five trump cards are dealt by the dealer's character 115, thedeal process is terminated by the main CPU 61, and procedure shifts toS53.

In S53, a draw process is executed by the main CPU 61. The draw process(S53) is a process in which a player may randomly select the trump cardsto be hold, and exchange one or more cards which are not selected withthe cards might be drawn (exchanged).

Here, the draw process will be explained concretely. In S53, on the carddisplay area 105 of the lower display 6, images of the five dealt trumpcards, the first card image 107A to the fifth card image 107E, aredisplayed.

In the draw process (S53), the touch panel 11 corresponding to the carddisplay area 105 is pressed by the player, wherein the card display area105 are the display area on which the trump cards determined to be heldby the player are displayed. The signal of holding the cards will betransmitted to the main CPU 61 from the touch panel. Based on the signalof holding the cards, it is recognized by the main CPU 61 that some ofthe trump cards are held. These trump cards are the cards on the carddisplay area 105 corresponding to the touch panel 11 pressed by theplayer, and may be kept in hand by the player.

And then the signal of holding the cards will be transmitted to thegraphic board 68 by the main CPU 61. Thereby, on the imagescorresponding to the selected cards, image of the mark “HOLD” toindicate the cards are held by the player, may be displayed.

If the touch panel 11 corresponding to the card exchange operation area110 is pressed by the player, the cards which are not selected by theplayer may be exchanged with new trump cards. The trump cards, whichwill be displayed on the card display area 105 after exchange, may bespecified by the main CPU 61. The trump cards to be displayed afterexchange, are selected from the five cards might be drawn, which aredetermined in the deal process (S52).

Then, card exchange signals are transmitted to the graphic board 68 bythe CPU 61. Therefore, on the card display area 105, within the fivedealt cards, the cards which are not selected by the player may beexchanged and then displayed, with the cards might be drawn that aredetermined in the deal process (S52).

When all of the five dealt trump cards are not held, the touch panel 11corresponding to the card exchange operation area 110 may be presseddirectly by the player. Then on the card display area 105, the fivecards might be drawn may be displayed. Also, when all the five dealttrump cards are held by the player, on the card display area 105, imagescorresponding to the five dealt trump cards are displayed directly.

The five cards which are used to be the subject for award determinationin this game (abbreviated as “award determination card” hereinafter),are determined by pressing the touch panel 11 corresponding to the cardexchange operation area 110. After the five award determination cardsare displayed on the card display area 105, the draw process (S53) maybe terminated by the main CPU 61. Then procedure shifts to S54.

In S54, an award determination process is executed. In S54, it isdetermined whether the five award determination cards satisfy apredetermined poker hand.

Concretely, in S54, data of the five award determination cards are readout from the RAM 63 by the main CPU 61, wherein the five awarddetermination cards are determined in the deal process (S52) and thedraw process (S53). It is determined whether a poker hand is satisfiedbased on the comparison between the data of the five award determinationcards and the award determination table. If a poker hand is satisfied,the determination result data showing the poker hand may be stored inthe RAM 63 by the main CPU 61.

Here, a poker hand is a kind of predetermined combination of the“numbes” and the “suits” of trump card. “suits” are the marks of thetrump cards. There are 4 kinds of “suits” including spade, heart,diamond and club. And “numbers” indicate numbers or English Charactersin trump cards. There are 13 kinds of numbers or English Characters,which are A (Ace, equivalent to 1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (Jack,equivalent to 11), Q (Queen, equivalent to 12), K (King, equivalent to13).

In the award determination table, a total of eight kinds of poker handare defined. They are Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four Card, FullHouse, Flush, Straight, Three Card, Two Card. The combination of “suits”and “numbers” forming the poker hands are common knowledge, the detailedexplanation will be omitted here.

In S54, the award amount corresponding to a poker hand is determinedbased on the award determination data and the award determination table.The poker hand is specified by reading out the award determinationresult data from the RAM 63. And the award corresponding to the pokerhand is determined based on the award determination table by the mainCPU 61.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the award determination table, the predeterminedpoker hand and the award amount corresponding to each predeterminedpoker hand is defined. In S54, the poker hand which is satisfied, andthe award amount corresponding to each bet of the poker hand aredetermined. When the bet count is more than 2, the amount equals to thebet count multiplying the award amount per bet (as shown in FIG. 15), isdetermined as the award amount to the poker hand (abbreviated as “normalaward in the poker game” hereinafter). The normal award in the pokergame is stored in the RAM 63. After the normal award in the poker gameis stored in the RAM 63 by the main CPU 61, procedure shifts to S55.

Here, concrete example is used to explain the award determinationprocess S54.

For example, the suits for the five award determination cards are all“diamond”, then it falls under the category of “Flush” poker hand. Inthis case, as shown in FIG. 15, the award amount per bet is “20”. Theamount of “award amount per bet for the Flush: 20” multiples the “betcount in the game” is determined as the normal award in the poker game,and is stored in the RAM 63.

In S55, it is determined whether the five award determination cardssatisfy the bonus award condition. Here, the bonus award conditionaccording to the second embodiment is that more than three images oftrump cards with same numbers or with same suits are displayed, amongthe five image of the first card image 107A to the fifth card image 107Edisplayed on the card display area 105. In the second embodiment, thecards with either same “suit” or same “number” are treated as the cardswith same symbol.

Therefore, data regarding to award determination cards are read out bythe main CPU 61, wherein the award determination cards are determined inthe deal process (S52) and the draw process (S53). The bonus awardcondition is determined based on the display position of the five awarddetermination cards, the suits and the numbers shown on the cards. Ifthe award determination cards satisfy the bonus award condition (S55:YES), procedure shifts to the bonus award process (S56). On the country,if the award determination cards do not satisfy the bonus awardcondition (S55: NO), procedure shifts to S57.

If the award determination cards satisfy the bonus award condition (S55:YES), procedure shifts to the bonus award process (S56), and the bonusaward process program is executed. The bonus award process program isalmost same as the program of the first embodiment. Since the bonusaward process program is already explained with reference of FIG. 11,here the explanation will be omitted.

In the second embodiment, after the termination of the bonus awardprocess program, procedure shifts to S57.

Here, in the Poker gaming machine according to the second embodiment,the display mode of the lower display 6 will be explained with referenceto the figures, when the bonus award process (S56) is executed. FIG. 16to FIG. 19 are explanatory views showing the display modes of the lowerdisplay 6 when the bonus award process (S56) is executed.

As same as in the first embodiment, the bonus award content in this gameis determined from the four kinds of the bonus award content (see FIG.12), in the bonus determination process (S21). Then the bonus characterdisplay signals are transmitted to the graphic board 68 by the main CPU61 (S22), wherein the bonus character display signals are the signals todisplay the bonus character 95 on the most left side of the lowerdisplay 6.

Thereby, on the lower display 6, the bonus character 95 is displayed onthe most left side of the card display area 105.

Furthermore, in parallel with the display of the bonus character 95, theposition of the first card display area 105A to the fifth card displayarea 105E are changed. As shown in FIG. 17, the intervals between thetwo adjacent card display areas 105 are shortened.

And then in the bonus award content display process (S23), on the lowerdisplay 6, the bonus character 95 and the target card images arevariably displayed each unit term. Here, the target card images are theimages in which more than three trump cards with same numbers or withsame suits are arranged among the five award determination cards.

In the concrete example shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 19, the images of thefive award determination cards, are “Diamond 7”, “Diamond 9”, “Diamond10”, “Club 5” and “Heart A” from the most left side, displayed in thecard display area 105. Since the cards shown in the first card displayarea 105A to the third card display area 105C, are three trump cardswith same suits of “Diamond”, the bonus award condition is satisfied.Therefore, the target card images include the first card image 107Acorresponding to the “Diamond 7”, the second card image 107Bcorresponding to the “Diamond 9”, and the third card image 107Ccorresponding to the “Diamond 10”.

In the bonus award content display process (S23), the bonus character 95is variably displayed from the left side to the right side through thetarget card images. And in the bonus award content display process ofthe next unit term, the target card images are variably displayed,corresponding to the variable display of the bonus character 95.

Here, in the second embodiment, on the first layer of the frame memoryin the graphic board 68, the image data corresponding to the first cardimage 107A to the fifth card image 107E, and the image data of the bonuscharacter 95 are stored. On the second layer of the frame memory, imagedata of bonus award image 97 based on the bonus award determinationprocess (S21) is stored. And as same as in the first embodiment, thecombined image data is displayed on the lower display 6, wherein thecombined image data is generated by combining by the image data storedin the first layer and the second layer. In the image data combination,the image data stored in the first layer is generated preferentiallythan the data stored in the second layer.

Therefore, variable display of the target card images are executed eachunit term, corresponding to the variable display of the bonus character95. The bonus award image 97 is gradually displayed on the displayposition of the target card images on the card display area 105 (In FIG.18, the first card display area 106A). Thereby, the player mayunderstand the bonus award content gradually, in the poker gamingmachine 100, the expectation to the winning of the bonus award by theplayer may be further strengthened.

The variable display of the bonus character 95 and the target cardimages, and the display of the bonus award image 97 corresponding to thevariable display, may be repeated in each unit term until the targetcard images can not be seen on the lower display 6. When the target cardimages can not be seen on the lower display 6, the bonus award image 97may be displayed in whole on the card display area corresponding to thetarget card images (in FIG. 19, the display area include the first carddisplay area 105A to the third card display area 105C). Thereby, theplayer may understand the content of the bonus award exactly.

When the target card images can not be seen on the lower display 6, thebonus award determined in the bonus award determination process (S21) isstored in the RAM 63 as the award data (S25). After the bonus award isstored in the RAM 63 as the award data, procedure shifts to S57 of themain game process program (see FIG. 14).

In S57, it is determined whether there is an award needed to be paid outto the player by the main CPU 61. It is determined by the main CPU 61,whether there is a normal award based on the poker hand and bonus awardbased on the bonus award process (S56). If there is an award needed tobe paid out to the player (S57: YES), procedure shifts to payout process(S58). If there is not an award needed to be paid out to the player(S57: NO), the main game process program is terminated, and returns backto S2 of the main control program. In other words, in the poker gamingmachine 100, the main control program is repeated (see FIG. 14).

In S58, the payout process is executed by the main CPU 61. S58 is aprocess to payout the award based on the award data stored in the RAM63, same as the S19 executed in the first embodiment. When the payoutprocess (S58) is terminated, the main game process S2 is terminated.

When procedure is returned to the S2 of the main control program, themain game process program will be executed again (see FIG. 14).

As explained above, in the poker gaming machine 100 according to thesecond embodiment, among the combination of the suits and the numbers ofthe five trump cards determined in the deal process (S52), if apredetermined poker hand is satisfied (see FIG. 15), the normal awardbased on the poker hand may be provided to the player. If the suits andthe number of the five trump cards satisfy a predetermined bonus awardcondition, the bonus award in additional to the normal award will bepaid to the player (S19). Therefore, in the poker gaming machine 100,two kinds of interest may be provided to the player, wherein the twokinds of interest include the interest to winning the normal award andthe interest to winning the bonus award.

The bonus award condition according to the second embodiment is thatmore than three trump cards with same numbers or with same suits arearranged, among the five images of the first card image 107A to thefifth card image 107E corresponding to the five award determinationcards. Therefore, whether the bonus award condition is satisfied or not,may be easily understood from the combination of the suits and numberdisplayed on the first card image 107A to the fifth card image 107E.This may strengthen the interest of the player to the winning of thebonus award.

In the second embodiment, the bonus award content is determined from theplural bonus award content determined in the bonus award determinationprocess (S21). Therefore, in the poker gaming machine 100, interest onwinning of the bonus award may be strengthened by diversifying the bonusaward content when the bonus award condition is satisfied.

When the bonus award condition is satisfied, in the bonus award process(S56), the target card images and the bonus character 95 may be variablydisplayed together, wherein the target card images include the images ofthe cards with more than three same symbols (same suits or samenumbers). Corresponding to the variable display of the target cardimages and the bonus character 95, the bonus award image 97 may bedisplayed gradually on the card display area 105, in which the targetcard images are once displayed.

In the poker gaming machine 100, in the bonus award process (S56), thebonus award content is noticed gradually by displaying the bonus awardimage 97, corresponding to the variable display of the bonus character95 and the target card images. Therefore, the winning of the bonus awardmay be figured out exactly by the player. As same as the firstembodiment, since the bonus award content is informed step by step, theexpectation of the to the bonus award may be further strengthened.

If the bonus award condition is satisfied, the five award determinationcards are determined based on the deal process (S52) and the drawprocess (S53). The display mode of the lower display 6 may be changeddue to the variable display of the bonus character 95 and the targetsymbols. Therefore, in the poker gaming machine 100, the interest onvirtual change of the player may be heightened.

Here, the card gaming machine is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the first embodiment, the award is determined based onthe number of the same symbols included in the fifteen symbols 90displayed on the symbol display area 31 to 45, however, it is not onlylimited to this case. For example, the award determination may also beexecuted by first defining plural winning lines in the plural symboldisplay areas on the symbol display portion 7, and then based on thecombination of the symbols 90 stopped and displayed on the winninglines, the award is determined.

Also, in the first embodiment, the bonus award condition is that morethan three same symbols 90 are stopped and displayed adjacently oneither row of the symbol display portion 7. However, the invention isnot so limited.

For example, the symbols 90 which are stopped and displayed, may befirst determined by a lottery program of the symbol display area 31 to45. Then the bonus award condition may be defined as the combination ofthe same symbols 90 displayed on one of the columns of the symboldisplay area (in the first embodiment, the reel display area 23 to 27).

In the second embodiment, a gaming machine in which a draw poker game isexecuted is explained. However, the invention is not so limited. Theinvention may also be applied to a card game, using plural cards as ahand.

In the second embodiment, the bonus award condition of both the samesuits and the same numbers are used. However, the invention is not solimited. Either of the same suits or the same numbers may be used as thebonus award condition.

Furthermore, in the first and the second embodiments, in the bonus awarddetermination process (S21), the bonus award content is determined fromthe four kinds of the bonus award contents defined in the bonus awardtable (see FIG. 12). The bonus award table may also include the bonusaward content of “0” in additional to the four kinds of the bonus awardcontents. Thereby, in the bonus award process (S27, S56), the case of nowinning of the bonus award may also be generated, the interest inwinning the bonus award may further be strengthened.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a display having a plurality of displayareas in each of which symbols are displayed; a processor programmed to(a) determine a symbol combination with the symbols displayed in each ofthe symbol display areas, (b) provide a normal award based on the symbolcombination determined, (c) change a display mode of the symbol displayareas in which a predetermined symbol combination is displayed from afirst display mode in which the symbols are displayed to a seconddisplay mode in which an award image indicating a special awarddifferent from the normal award is displayed when the symbol combinationdisplayed on the display is the predetermined symbol combination, and(d) provide the special award based on the award image displayed in thesecond display mode.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, whereinthe processor determines the award image indicating the special awarddifferent from the normal award.
 3. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein the processor changes the display mode of the symboldisplay areas from the first display mode to the second display modewhen the symbol combination displayed on the display becomes a symbolcombination in which the same symbols with a predetermined number arealigned in a line.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, whereinthe processor changes the display mode of the symbol display areas tothe second display mode in which the award image is displayed by movablydisplaying a symbol image displayed in the symbol display areas when thedisplay mode of the symbol display areas is changed from the firstdisplay mode to the second display mode.
 5. The gaming machine accordingto claim 2, wherein the processor displays a character image on thedisplay and changes the display mode of the symbol display areas fromthe first display mode to the second display mode by displaying thecharacter image so as to move the symbol images displayed in the symboldisplay areas in which the same symbols are displayed, when the symbolcombination displayed on the display becomes a symbol combination inwhich the same symbols with a predetermined number are aligned in aline.
 6. A gaming method comprising steps of: (a) determining a symbolcombination with symbols displayed in each of symbol display areas on adisplay; (b) providing a normal award based on the symbol combinationdetermined, (c) changing a display mode of the symbol display areas inwhich a predetermined symbol combination is displayed from a firstdisplay mode in which the symbols are displayed to a second display modein which an award image indicating a special award different from thenormal award is displayed when the symbol combination displayed on thedisplay is the predetermined symbol combination, and (d) providing thespecial award based on the award image displayed in the second displaymode.
 7. The gaming method according to claim 6, further comprising astep of determining the award image indicating the special awarddifferent from the normal award.
 8. The gaming method according to claim6, wherein the display mode of the symbol display areas is changed fromthe first display mode to the second display mode under a condition thatthe symbol combination displayed on the display becomes a symbolcombination in which the same symbols with a predetermined number arealigned in a line.
 9. The gaming method according to claim 6, whereinthe display mode of the symbol display areas is changed from the firstdisplay mode to the second display mode by movably displaying a symbolimage displayed in the symbol display areas.
 10. The gaming methodaccording to claim 7, wherein a character image is displayed on thedisplay and the display mode of the symbol display areas is changed fromthe first display mode to the second display mode by displaying thecharacter image so as to move the symbol images displayed in the symboldisplay areas in which the same symbols are displayed, when the symbolcombination displayed on the display becomes a symbol combination inwhich the same symbols with a predetermined number are aligned in aline.